2018 Toronto Blue Jays General Season Thread

[Frank E]

On a scale of 1 to Fernandez, how many notches higher is Tulo vs. Nathan Horton...considering per dollar per game played?

 

[bustaheims]

On a scale of 1 to Fernandez, how many notches higher is Tulo vs. Nathan Horton...considering per dollar per game played?

Well, Tulo has actually played for the Jays, might get into some games this season, and there's no cap in MLB, so . . .

I mean, Horton's dollars per game played is infinite.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The score should have read  Smoak 7  Yankees 4, as Justin Smoak had 6 RBIs today in the Jays' win.

Good to see some offensive explosion.  Smoak's grand slammer in the eighth, which followed his previous two-run homer in the thirdseventh, won it for Toronto, and a split of this four game series.  Well, we can now say, take that, Yankees!

The Jays came back from a 4-1 deficit thanks to Smoak's heroics.


http://www.espn.com/mlb/game?gameId=380401114

.

Smoaks first home run was in the 7th.
It was never 4-0.

Corrected. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

                                        vs                                   

   

                               

Starting Pitchers:
Monday April 2    7pm
Reynaldo Lopez RH (White Sox)  vs  Jaime Garcia LH (Blue Jays)

Tuesday April 3  7pm
Miguel Gonzalez RH (White Sox) vs J.A. Happ LH (Blue Jays) 0-1  3.86 ERA

Wednesday April 4  7pm
Carson Fulmrr RH (White Sox) vs Aaron Sanchez RH (Blue Jays) 0-1  6.35 ERA


All games on SN & SN590 radio.


The Blue Jays, having come off a split of their home opening weekend four-game series with the Yankees, will play the visiting Chicago White Sox for a three-game series.

Monday's game will feature the pitching debut of the Jays' eight million dollar man, starter Jaime Garcia, who signed a one year deal with Toronto in the off-season.

It remains to be seen if Jays 3B Josh Donaldson, who DH'd in Sundays' s 7-4 win over the Yankees, will be back at third bsse. Donaldson felt more upbeat about his so-called "dead arm" and feels much better, enough to return to his usual position.  The decision rests with Gibbons.

The White Sox are 2-0 in starting the season as they won their openibg series against the K.C. Royals (the third game of that series postponed due to weather conditions).

Lost in the morass of the Jays series split with the Yankees is that Toronto is .500 -- something that seemed all but unachievable last year.  That alone, is quite the achievement.

LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!


Sources:    theStar.com,  FOXsports,  ESPN,  MLB.com

 

[Kin]

From what I was Garcia looked pretty good. For all the handwringing this might be a very good pitching staff.

 

[Arn]

I think allowing for the caveat that they remain healthy then the pitching staff, especially rotation, is pretty solid.

I liked that I've seen as far as manufacturing runs early on.

So I think the Jays if all goes well will be pretty competitive for that 2nd would card spot.

I wish the Jays weren't in a division with Red Sox and Yankees.

 

[Frank E]

I think allowing for the caveat that they remain healthy then the pitching staff, especially rotation, is pretty solid.

I liked that I've seen as far as manufacturing runs early on.

So I think the Jays if all goes well will be pretty competitive for that 2nd would card spot.

I wish the Jays weren't in a division with Red Sox and Yankees.

Ahh, the dreaded "Would Card" spot...

"We would like to win a World Series, but will not"
"We would be contenders, if it weren't for (_______) being injured/having an off year/sucks"
"I would like a hot dog to go with my 9 $12 beers to watch the Jays not win today, thank you"  (1 per inning)

 

[hockeyfan1]

The Bringer of Rain brought rain alright (no weather pun intended).  Yes, it was pouring outside the Rogers Centre last night, but the Blue Jays did some pouring of their own in a 14-5 whitewash of the Chisox.

Donaldson & Diaz hit two-run homers, Granderson had himself a triple, Maille a double, and nearly every Blue Jays playing had a hit to contribute to the scoreboard.

Starter J.A.Happ got the win in allowing four runs and striking out nine in a little over five innings.

The Jays belted out seven runs in the eighth inning that put the game away for good. 

Good job, guys!


http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-chicago-white-sox-recap-1.4603905

 

[hockeyfan1]

The Jays lose 4-3 but take two out of this three game series from the Chisox.

Aaron Sanchez was back on the mound Wednesday night, and pitched six innings of seven strikeouts on three runs.  Sanchez feels he's coming back to form and he isn't even using his quintessential curveball, but rather, has switched to the changeup and proven effective from this standpoint for him:

?I think it?s leaps and bounds (ahead) compared to where it was, and I feel like it?s only going to get better the more I use it, which is good for me.?

The Blue Jays have an off-day tomorrow before getting ready for a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, the Jays first road opening series.


Source:  Sportsnet

 

[hockeyfan1]

                                    vs

Starting Pitchers:
Friday April 6    8pm
Estrada RH (Blue Jays) 0-0  3.86 ERA vs Matt Moore LH (Rangers) 0-1  9.00 ERA

Saturday April 7 8pm
Marcus Stroman RH (Blue Jays) 0-0  7.20 ERA vs Mike Minor LH (Rangers) 0-1  3.86 era

Sunday April 8  3pm
Jaime Garcia LH (Blue Jays) 0-0  1.50 ERA vs Cole Hamels LH (Rangers) 1-1  3.38 ERA

All games on SN & SN590 Radio.


The Blue Jays have come off a three-game series versus the Chicago White Sox here at home, in which they won two out of three.  This included the 14-5 Game 2 drubbing of the Chisox, though the next night the Jays were rather quiet in their offensive output, which wasn't of much help to starter Aaron Sanchez though he pitched solidly.

The Jays, with a day off, begin their three-game road opening series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.  The Rangers and the Jays have had their differences -- Bautista/Odor punchup: the playoffs & Bautista's legendary bat flip, etc.  That was then, but this is now, and Bautista is no longer a player with Toronto.  Of course, these two teams decide to renew hostilities somewhat along the way...

The Texas Rangers are mired in last place in the A.L. West with a 2-5 w/l record, while the Blue Jays are 4 & 3, third in the A.L. East.

LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!

 

[hockeyfan1]

Three RBIs by Russell Martin (including a homerun) plus a solo shot by Solarte, with contributions by Josh Donaldson among others, and a solid pitching performance by Jays starter Marco Estrada, was enough to swamp the Texas Rangers by a score of 8-5.

Jays starter Estrada who pitched six solid innings, allowed just one run and struck out seven.  He had excellent ball control,  save for in the sixth inning, when he gave up a home run.  Other than that, all else was fine.

The Jays relievers -- Aaron Loup & Seung hwan-Oh -- allowed the Rangers to score a combined four runs in the seventh inning.  Osuna came on later and got the save.

Story:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/martin-homers-estrada-solid-blue-jays-beat-rangers/

 

[sickbeast]

I'm extremely pleased with the way the season has started.  I would not have imagined the team doing this well.  I'm not happy with Grichuk or Morales, but everyone else on the team is playing extremely well.  If Grichuk does not turn things around I would imagine we will see Teoscar Hernandez.  However I'm thinking they will give Grichuk 2-3 months to sort things out.  Morales could be benched more and they could let other guys like Travis DH to give them rest.

We'll see.  I'm not sure if this pace is sustainable.  The most impressive thing the team has done so far was to split the series against the Yankees IMO.  That is not easy to do.  The Yankees are completely stacked this year.  If they don't win the division by a landslide I will be shocked.

 

[sickbeast]

Another great win today. However Grichuk looks completely lost at the plate. He's often even striking out on three pitches. I'm not sure how long of a leash they're going to give him. But I will say that Teoscan Hernandez would look really good in right field right about now. I'm not sure what more he needs to do to prove himself. He was on fire down the stretch last season and he had a very good spring training. Grichuk could probably use some time either off the bench or in the minors to figure out what's going on.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Another great win today. However Grichuk looks completely lost at the plate. He's often even striking out on three pitches. I'm not sure how long of a leash they're going to give him. But I will say that Teoscan Hernandez would look really good in right field right about now. I'm not sure what more he needs to do to prove himself. He was on fire down the stretch last season and he had a very good spring training. Grichuk could probably use some time either off the bench or in the minors to figure out what's going on.

Not surprised about Randall Grichuk.  In fact, it qppeared that he was looking to Kevin Pillar in the outfield for signals (this according to the broadcast crew).  It's apparent that this Grichuk fellow needs more time with adjustment.  Both at the plate & on the field.

Hernandez's throwing arm, his speed, and his offensive potential all speak for themselves.  Perhaps, as you mentioned, what else must he do?  Well, Gibby is either saving him not to tire him out or get injured if he plays often, which doesn't make sense here, or simply giving Grichuk all the chances he needs to familiarize himself better.  I'd give Grichuk another month to get it right.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The Jays win on Sunday by a score of 7-4 over Texas came a day after starter Marcus Stroman gave up all five runs in that 5-1 loss.

Ditto for Jays starter Jaime Garcia who gave up just three in a little over five innings for the win.  Osuna closed out with his fourth save of the season. 
The Jays' Steve Pearce with a leadoff homerun & Kendrys Morales with a three-run shot put the Jays up early on the scoreboard.

On the contrary, Rangers starter Cole Hamels gave up all seven runs.

Game recap:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-texas-rangers-1.4610478

 

[hockeyfan1]

 
vs 

 


Starting Pitchers:
Monday April 9  7pm
J.A. Happ LH (Blue Jays) 1-1  5.40 ERA  vs Dylan Bundy RH (Orioles) 0-1  0.69 ERA

Tuesday April 10  7pm
Aaron Sanchez RH (Blue Jays)  0-1  5.40 ERA  vs Andrew Cashner RH (Orioles ) 1-1  4.09 ERA

Wednesday April 11  7pm
Marco Estrada RH (Blue Jays)  1-0  2.77 ERA  vs  Kevin Gausman LH (Orioles)  0-1  8.00 ERA

All games on SN & SN590 radio.


The Blue Jays, having taken two out of three against the Texas Rangers in their first road opening series, now go on to Baltimore to face the Orioles at Camden Yards for the next three games.

Both the Jays and the Orioles have players on the DL since opening day -- Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki has yet to play, same for Baltimore's Mark Trumbo.
The Jays Aledmys Diaz is still day-to-day with back spasms, while the O's Colby Rasmus is still nursing a hip strain.

Where these two teams differ is in the standings, with the Jays currently second in the A.L. East with a 6-4 w/l record and 2.5GBL Boston Red Sox, and the Orioles in second-last place with a 4-6 record & 4.5 GBL.

Looks like it's going to be tough to catch up to the runaway leaders the Red Sox who sport an 8-1 record.  Not even the so-called "stacked" Yankees who are .500 & 5-5 on the year can do it.  All of this will eventually change as it is still very early in the season.  For the Blue Jays though, so far, so very good with room for more.

LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!


Source:  theStar.com,  FOXsports, MLB.com   

 

[skippy]

 
vs 

 


Starting Pitchers:
Monday April 9  7pm
J.A. Happ LH (Blue Jays) 1-1  5.40 ERA  vs Dylan Bundy RH (Orioles) 0-1  0.69 ERA

Tuesday April 10  7pm
Aaron Sanchez RH (Blue Jays)  0-1  5.40 ERA  vs Andrew Cashner RH (Orioles ) 1-1  4.09 ERA

Wednesday April 11  7pm
Marco Estrada RH (Blue Jays)  1-0  2.77 ERA  vs  Kevin Gausman LH (Orioles)  0-1  8.00 ERA

All games on SN & SN590 radio.


The Blue Jays, having taken two out of three against the Texas Rangers in their first road opening series, now go on to Baltimore to face the Orioles at Camden Yards for the next three games.

Both the Jays and the Orioles have players on the DL since opening day -- Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki has yet to play, same for Baltimore's Mark Trumbo.
The Jays Aledmys Diaz is still day-to-day with back spasms, while the O's Colby Rasmus is still nursing a hip strain.

Where these two teams differ is in the standings, with the Jays currently second in the A.L. East with a 6-4 w/l record and 2.5GBL Boston Red Sox, and the Orioles in second-last place with a 4-6 record & 4.5 GBL.

Looks like it's going to be tough to catch up to the runaway leaders the Red Sox who sport an 8-1 record.  Not even the so-called "stacked" Yankees who are .500 & 5-5 on the year can do it.  All of this will eventually change as it is still very early in the season.  For the Blue Jays though, so far, so very good with room for more.

LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!


Source:  theStar.com,  FOXsports, MLB.com 

Diaz played yesterday

 

[herman]

Something to look forward to!
https://theathletic.com/308350/2018/04/10/lott-why-vlad-guerrero-jr-bunted-and-what-he-has-done-since-then-in-his-first-week-in-double-a/

[Vladimir Guerrero Jr.] led off the 11th. Jonathan Davis, New Hampshire's final batter in the 10th, trotted out to second base [due to the new extra innings rule instituted by MLB].

?We were curious how this new rule would play out, and we figured that if you're on the road, you've got to kind of play for two runs,? Schneider said. ?So that situation came up, runner at second, nobody out. Vladdy was leading off, and as he was walking up to the on-deck circle, I said, 'Drive him in.' He said okay.

?And on the first pitch, he lays down a bunt. Yes, he did it on his own.?

The surprising sacrifice moved Davis to third. Then Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. tripled and Cavan Biggio doubled. The Fisher Cats had their two runs.

[...]

?As a manager, I love to let the guys play and make their own decisions,? Schneider said. ?So if it's right, wrong or indifferent, we talk about it after the game.

?So I said, 'Vladdy, what were you thinking?' And I got a brutal, honest answer from a 19-year-old. Vladdy said, 'I wasn't feeling great at the plate and I knew Gurriel behind me was the hottest hitter in our order, and I felt like him hitting with a runner on third give us the best chance to win.'

 

[hockeyfan1]

Randall Grichuk, the former Cardinal-turned-Blue Jay-who-was-signed-primarily-as-a-Bautista-replacement-in-right-field, fi-n-i-n-a-l-l-y solved his hitting woes -- hit hit a double in the ninth inning that was part of the Jays' five run rally in yesterday's 7-1 win over Baltimore.

By not employing Grichuk at the plate for most of that game, Gibbons strategy seemed to have paid dividends.  Along with Josh Donaldson grand slammer, including Steve Pearce's early third inning two-run homer that originally gave the Jays the lead up until that explosive ninth inning, it all proved to be too much for the Orioles pitching to handle.

Oh yes, starter I.A. Happ with the win, going a little over six innings on one run allowed & nine strikeouts.  Solid quality outing for Mr. Happ.

Game recap:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-baltimore-orioles-1.4611824

 

[hockeyfan1]

Congratulations to Roberto Osuna on becoming the youngest player ever in MLB to record 100 saves!

Yes, people, Jays starter Aaron Sanchez was in fine form thank you.
Sanchez lasted 8 innings allowing one run and striking out four.  He actually had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning before the Orioles got on the board.

With the score tied 1-1, Curtis Granderson's solo shot in the rop of the ninth vaunted the Blue Jays ahead, and Osuna closed out as Toronto edged the Orioles 2-1 Tuesday.

It had been a pitching duel between the O's starter Andrew Cashner and the Jays' Sanchez, with Cashner lasting seven innings in allowing one run & three hits.

Game story:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-baltimore-orioles-1.4613595